CCJ Revises Judge Panel Selection Process

The Caribbean Court Of Justice, the CCJ, has announced revised arrangements for the assignment of judges to panels hearing cases.

Under the new arrangement, all judges of the court will sit on all panels, except when a judge is formally excused from sitting for a legitimate reason.

The CCJ says the change is aimed at promoting greater consistency, transparency and flexibility in the allocation of judicial work, while supporting the efficient administration of justice.

The revised system will also see three panel leaders, comprising the president of the court and the two most senior judges.

The announcement follows concerns raised by some CCJ judges about President Justice Winston Anderson.

Leaked internal emails contained allegations that Justice Anderson attempted to influence the outcome of cases through the selection of judges for various panels.

Justice Anderson has denied the claims and other accusations made against him by sitting members of the court.

The developments have also led to calls for a full investigation into the leak of the internal correspondence and the claims contained in the emails.